Citing concerns about local health, business impacts, group represents communities throughout Washington
A diverse group of voices – including a doctor, farmer, business owners, fisherman, and conservationists – delivered more than 40,000 signatures to Washington Commissioner of Public Lands Goldmark on Wednesday, 2/29. The group discussed their concerns over health, economic and environmental impacts both for the communities near the proposed coal export terminals at Cherry Pt., Grays Harbor and Longview, WA and for the rail-corridor communities in the state.
The record number of 40,000 signatures are primarily from Washington, Oregon and Northwest residents expressing opposition to the proposed terminals.
Riverkeeper extends a special thanks to Gorge resident Don McDermott for representing communities in the Columbia River Gorge.
Signatures were delivered by:
- Ginny Wolff, Skagit County, WA – Dr. Wolff is a retired family physician, Skagit resident, and working with over 185 “Whatcom Docs” to educate citizens about the adverse health impacts of potential coal export projects.
- Steve Hallstrom, Grays Harbor, WA --Mr. Hallstrom owns an organic farm in Grays Harbor. He is the retired Associate Director Computing and Communication UW as well as a former Riverview School Board member, Organic Advisory board member and currently the Grays Harbor Conservation District Supervisor.
- Arnold Martin, Grays Harbor, WA—Mr. Martin is President of the Grays Harbor Audubon Society, a registered Professional Engineer (State of Oregon), and birder for 38 years.
- Toni Montgomery, Vancouver, WA-- A grandmother, native Vancouverite, who lives just yards from the railroad tracks. Ms. Montgomery represents business interest in the building industry.
- Don McDermott and Sarah B. Delano, Dallesport, WA – Mr. McDermott is a vineyard owner whose property straddles the rail-line. He is also Chairman of the Dallesport Community Council realtor, and a former East Coast railroad executive.Ms. Delano works on public school benefits and fundraising projects.
- Teresa Purcell, Longview, WA—A Longview native, and UW graduate, Ms. Purcell is the founder of Purcell Public Affairs Inc. She managed the successful long-shot U.S. Senate race for the first female Senator elected from Washington State – U.S. Senator Patty Murray in 1992. Over the past 24 years, Teresa has consulted and collaborated on over 175 political, public relations and media campaigns throughout the United States.
- Rev. Patton, Longview, WA--The Rev. Kathleen Patton is Rector of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Longview, WA, where she resides. Mother Patton graduated from the Church Divinity School of the Pacific in 1990, and has served as priest in the Episcopal Dioceses of California, Northern California, and Olympia.
- Carolyn and Ed Gastellum, Anacortes, WA--Carolyn is the Chair of “Coal Free Skagit” and Ed is a member of their business team representing 150 businesses with strong concerns about exporting coal. Ed is also a 34 year veteran of the National Parks Service including Cascades National Park. They live in Anacortes.
- Jeremy Brown, Whatcom, WA – Mr. Brown has trolled for salmon since the early 1980’s and has been involved in salmon recovery for almost as long. A Food and Society Policy Fellow, much of his work is focused on the integrity of healthy locally based food systems and the ecosystems on which they depend.
- Beth Doglio, Olympia, WA—Ms. Doglio is the Campaign Director for Climate Solutions and representative of the Power Past Coal campaign. Power Past Coal is a coalition of over 80 organizations and communities opposing coal export off the West Coast.
Recent Media
Opponents of coal terminals in Bellingham, Longview deliver petition Wednesday Associated Press http://www.thenewstribune.com/2012/02/28/2045389/opponents-of-coal-terminals-in.html Coal terminal opponents file petition with state Lands Commissioner The Bellingham Herald http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2012/03/01/2416516/coal-terminal-opponents-file-petition.html Washington coal terminal opponents petition state The Wenatchee World http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2012/mar/01/washington-coal-terminal-opponents-petition-state/ Coal export opponents to bring 40,000 petition signatures to Olympia The Longview Daily News http://tdn.com/news/local/coal-export-opponents-to-bring-petition-signatures-to-olympia/article_eb8f8da8-61dc-11e1-bd35-0019bb2963f4.html
